Herbal Treatments for Apnea

[Todzo]

it is very clear to me that the long term objective usability of CPAP as a percentage of those commended to it would have trouble generating even a passing grade in any classroom

perhaps it is time to find things that actually work

[Julie]

Did you mean 'committed' to it?

[nanwilson]

it is very clear to me that the long term objective usability of CPAP as a percentage of those commended to it would have trouble generating even a passing grade in any classroom

perhaps it is time to find things that actually work

?????? are calling all of us a bunch of illiterate dummies and yourself a genius???????????????????????

[cpapernewbie]

Why not do an experiment to test?
Use oxymeter when you sleep and if your readings before and after show that you are better with that herbal, good luck!

[SleepWrangler]

?????? are calling all of us a bunch of illiterate dummies and yourself a genius???????????????????????

LOL. I think the wording is awkward but refers to published studies that suggest long term commitment to therapy is somewhere in the neighborhood of 53%. This figure is just above a passing grade (also something I read in passing so recall of the exact percentage is fuzzy). Regardless no one should put any weight behind Amazon reviews as validation for treating a medical condition ... not even a super genius.

perhaps it is time to find things that actually work

While your statement may have some truth this thread is about an Amazon endorsed herbal remedy for sleep apnea as an alternative to CPAP. You are treating the subject too abstractly and making yourself a troll. Not good. Where I was hoping you may lead the discussion is treating frequent nighttime waking during initial application of the CPAP treatment. Addressing this problem by using a herbal remedy may perhaps improve the long term adoption of CPAP.

[library lady]

Lukie, you mentioned %6,000 for a sleep study! Where on earth did you get that study? My split-night study, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester was $750 just two months ago.

[STL Mark]

Has anyone heard of or successfully used something called "Sleep Apnea Relief"? Its an herbal product consisting of Lobella (a reparatory stimulant), Meadowsweet, Thyme, Chamomile and Cramp Bark. There's a bunch of info on the internet so it's probably a money making scam but I'm desperate enough to ask but not quite dumb enough to just use it.

I see no problems with taking that product prior to using your CPAP machine at night. I think anything that helps you emotionally to stay compliant with the machine is good.

[Lukie]

The charges for a sleep study in Northern Vermont is $6000. I don't think they got that much from Medicare and BCBS but that was the price they quoted me when I made my appointment. This includes 2 nights in the hospital. One night for diagnosis and the second night for titration. I know that is really pricey but that is the stated fee.

[kaiasgram]

Did you mean 'committed' to it?

No, he meant commended to it. He uses the word often. In this context "commended" means "assigned" or prescribed. It's a legitimate -- albeit unusual and, well, "lofty" -- way to use the word in this case. Some people think that using lofty terms makes them sound more authoritative.

[Todzo]

Amazon does not “endorse” products, rather they provide a space where users can convey their experience to the rest of us. I am very glad for Amazon!!

[zoocrewphoto]

Lukie, you mentioned %6,000 for a sleep study! Where on earth did you get that study? My split-night study, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester was $750 just two months ago.

Mine was $6,000 for a split night study just south of Seattle, WA. It was really well done, comfortable, and the titration spot on. So, while expensive, it sure was a lot better than most of the ones I have heard about here. It set me up for a great start since the tech picked the perfect mask for me on the first try. It had no leaks, and I slept for over 5 hours straight, something I can't remember doing for at least 10 years. So, I felt good the next day and really noticed the difference. That was a huge boost in getting me started. I wish everybody could have a taste of success in the beginning so that later as they struggle at home, they can remind themselves that it really does help, and the mask really does fit without leaks.

[RogerSC]

Have a few problems on this one, but one obvious thing is referring to "relaxing your muscles"...since one of the often mentioned causes for sleep apnea is exactly that, relaxed muscles in the airway during sleep, I fail to see how that would have any good effect in helping with sleep apnea.

At a buck a pill (or free, for that matter *smile*), I'm one who's more likely to wait for clinical results, than to jump in and start popping these things. I generally don't trust mixtures of herbs, anyways...people think of herbs as only having good effects, but that has been shown not to be the case. They can interact with drugs that one is already taking, as well as having their own side effects, especially when mixed together.

[adin67]

Lukie, you mentioned %6,000 for a sleep study! Where on earth did you get that study? My split-night study, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester was $750 just two months ago.

Mine was $6,000 for a split night study just south of Seattle, WA.

Mine was $100 for a night study + one for the titration.

[kaiasgram]

I generally don't trust mixtures of herbs, anyways...people think of herbs as only having good effects, but that has been shown not to be the case. They can interact with drugs that one is already taking, as well as having their own side effects, especially when mixed together.

Well then, my SC friend, you might be interested in this -- I looked up lobelia and read this on the University of Maryland Medical Center website:

In the 19th century, American physicians prescribed lobelia to induce vomiting in order remove toxins from the body. Because of this, it earned the name "puke weed."

Source: Lobelia | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/he ... z2wUSSd3U2
University of Maryland Medical Center

[49er]

Have a few problems on this one, but one obvious thing is referring to "relaxing your muscles"...since one of the often mentioned causes for sleep apnea is exactly that, relaxed muscles in the airway during sleep, I fail to see how that would have any good effect in helping with sleep apnea.

At a buck a pill (or free, for that matter *smile*), I'm one who's more likely to wait for clinical results, than to jump in and start popping these things. I generally don't trust mixtures of herbs, anyways...people think of herbs as only having good effects, but that has been shown not to be the case. They can interact with drugs that one is already taking, as well as having their own side effects, especially when mixed together.

Additionally, if you have a reaction and are taking a mixture of herbs, you won't know which ingredient is the problem. Totally agree that OTC remedies can also have bad reactions as one who has experienced them.

Regarding waiting for clinical results, I have a different take as let's just say I think conventional medicine is quite biased towards drugs for various reasons. And if I had depended on these, I never would have gotten off of psych meds as I found more help on AD withdrawal boards than I did from my former psychiatrist or any published research.

49er